Sugar Bowl Ski Report, Mountain Conditions and Resort Statistics

14 Beginner

38 Intermediate

25 Advanced

7 Expert

Located in north of Tahoe by Truckee in California, Sugar Bowl is a ski resort with 13 lifts servicing 95 trails on 1500 acres of skiable terrain. Sugar Bowl has glades and chutes that will make any expert’s mouth water, especially along Mt. Judah and Mt. Lincoln. Along the left side of the mountain is a large terrain park area
...complete with superpipe. Beginners and intermediate skiers/riders will find plenty to enjoy, with a combined 60% of the mountain cut out for them. Sugar Bowl offers groomed runs, slopeside dining and lodging, among other things. National Ski Area Association ranked Sugar Bowl as the best overall guest service in its category (100,000-250,000 visits). Everyone will find something they enjoy at Sugar Bowl.Read more

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Avg Base Depth

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Sugar Bowl Ski Pictures and Photos

Sugar Bowl
Reviews & Tips (24)

Dopamine and Norepinephrine and Their Contribution to Addiction
Dopamine and norepinephrine are very crucial neurotransmitters whose functions can never be underestimated. These are some of the most crucial neurotransmitters in the body. In particular, dopamine has very many functions in the body but to many people it is famous for its good feeling effects that it is always identified with but this should not be the case as it has functions beyond the mesolimbic pathway. In the brain dopamine plays such roles as: It plays a big role in starting movement, and the destruction of dopamine neurons in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra is what produces the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine is involved in the frontal cortex in executive functions like attention and feelings among others. In the rest of the body, dopamine is involved in nausea, in kidney function, and in heart function. Though only relevant to most people when it comes to such aspects as motivation, addiction, attention or lust, dopamine is a crucial neurotransmitter that also does vital functions in different pathways. Therefore dopamine should not only be limited to the mesolimbic pathway. A pathway which starts with cells in the ventral tegmental area, buried deep in the middle of the brain, which send their projections out to places like the nucleus accumbens and the cortex. the levels of dopamine is naturally controlled by the brain, for example when a person engages in pleasurable activities the brain will increase the level of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, however during addiction the dopamine signaling in this area is changed. For any drug to have any pleasurable feeling to the user then the level of dopamine must be increased and this is what causes euphoric feelings that drug users will do anything to achieve.
Dopamine
Dopamine depletion and cocaine addiction
Despite one of the most dangerous drugs of pleasure, cocaine has remained to be one of the drugs that are highly abused worldwide. Cocaine works in such a way that it targets the dopamine which is a neurotransmitter related with euphoric feelings. When taken cocaine will cause a surge of dopamine extracellular in limbic areas, specifically, nucleus accumbens it is this surge that causes euphoric effects cocaine is known for. It is the euphoric properties of cocaine that lead to the development of chronic abuse, and appear to involve the acute activation of central dopamine neuronal systems. Dopamine plays a key role in reward system and stimulation behavior. However, when a person uses cocaine for a long time his neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine alterations will eventually occur. Dopamine depletion is hypothesized to result from overstimulation of these neurons and excessive synaptic metabolism of the neurotransmitter. It is this depletion of dopamine that may underlie dysphoric aspects of cocaine abstinence, and cocaine cravings. With many research findings on cocaine relations with dopamine, it is clear that cocaine addiction stems from the depletion of synaptic dopamine in the mesolimbic dopamine reward system, leading to a dysphoric withdrawal state that drives cocaine seeking to restore dopamine to normal, drug-dependence level.
After using cocaine for a long time, your brain will be conditioned to use cocaine in order to raise cocaine to the required levels and this result in addicted brain that can’t function without taking cocaine. At this stage it will be hard for an addict to quit using this drug as every time you try to quit all the withdrawal symptoms will set in thereby causing addiction and dependence thereafter. These cravings contribute not only to addiction but to relapse after a hard-won sobriety especially when the addict encounters triggers.
Norepinephrine and Drug Addiction
Norepinephrine is a very vital neurotransmitter in the brain that is also one of the most abundant in the brain. It is important for such roles as selective attention, general arousal, and stress reactions in challenging environments. Norepinephrine has been implicated by several studies as a key mediator of drug reward for three primary reasons. First, the noradrenergic pathways support intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) and modulate drug-induced changes in ICSS threshold. Secondly, the biochemical activity of psychostimulant drugs includes blockade of Norepinephrine reuptake and enhancement of Norepinephrine release and thirdly, compounds that interfere with Norepinephrine synthesis or signaling influence drug self-administration. The idea that drugs of abuse act via the endogenous reward systems in the brain first arose when psychostimulants such as amphetamine and cocaine have been found to alter support intracranial self-stimulation thresholds. One interpretation of these results was that Norepinephrine mediates the effect of psychostimulants on support intracranial self-stimulation, because these drugs cause Norepinephrine release, block Norepinephrine reuptake or do both.
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Take advantage of the lessons when the snow is favorable; Woody is a wonderful teacher! The workers are so considerate and it is just great that they include rentals and instruction with the lift ticket. I forgot my ski poles and they were quickly provided without any paper work. They just asked me to return them at the end of the day. A wonderful experience

Sugar Bowl review written Mar 05 2013 - 12:25 PM

Susan Wilson
Intermediate Skier

Went up with a friend to have a enjoyable day at the end of the short season. One run in the binding on my friends snowbaord breaks to the point it is not usable. Lift attendant suggested we see if the rental building could help us out.
When we asked if they could do anything for us one of the workers immediately grabbed the board and said, "Give me a minute". Came back a minute later after fixing the binding and charged us $1 for the work. It was awesome and only took us off the mountain for 10 minutes when we were worried the day may have been ruined.
Great experience

Sugar Bowl review written Mar 04 2013 - 04:43 PM

Happy Customer
Intermediate Snowboarder

My husband (a snowboarder) and myself visited Sugar Bowl on Saturday 2/16. Despite the holiday weekend, it wasn't too crowded. The resort was lovely despite the crappy snow conditions. One tip - this seems to be a very family oriented place. It was MUCH different from what we are used to - Sierra at Tahoe. I would recommend coming here if you want to bring the whole family along.

Sugar Bowl review written Mar 02 2013 - 10:28 AM

SkibunnyJF
Intermediate Skier

since we only ski once or twice a year, we rent our equipment. When you get off of hwy 80, there is a small ski rental - food store on the right hand side. There is a manakin with a bikini outside. They rent an entire ski package for $14.00. the skis were waxed and fast, and the boots were super comfortable. There were 6 of us in our group and everyone said their boots and skis were great. There also was no line to wait in. I highly recommend this place for rentals.

Sugar Bowl review written Feb 18 2013 - 04:57 PM

mamak
Intermediate Skier

since we only ski once or twice a year, we rent our equipment. When you get off of hwy 80, there is a small ski rental - food store on the right hand side. There is a manakin with a bikini outside. They rent an entire ski package for $14.00. the skis were waxed and fast, and the boots were super comfortable. There were 6 of us in our group and everyone said their boots and skis were great. There also was no line to wait in. I highly recommend this place for rentals.

If you're a snowboarder, I would suggest another mountain. Sugar Bowl is nice, but it's definitely a skier's resort. It's mostly steep mogully terrain. Not exactly my ideal riding conditions. There were a few good runs, but it got boring going down just those few runs all day long. The person I went up with is an advanced skier and for the most part even they were not thrilled with the trails.
On the plus side, the lifts were nice and quick and all of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
I would not go here again or recommend this place to anyone looking for a place to snowboard.

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 29 2013 - 04:33 PM

powderBEAR
Advanced Snowboarder

Sugar Bowl was fantastic, best sking in years, love this place!

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 24 2013 - 11:32 PM

Harri709
Intermediate Skier

I've been skiing Sugar Bowl for years. Along with many other families that we know, our children grew up learning and getting good at Sugar Bowl. We have a wealth of cherished family memories.
Last year my son and I started Snowboarding at Sugar Bowl. Now we alternate between skiing and snowboarding.
Yes, the food is expensive. Take your own food if you prefer. It makes the trip a bit more complicated, but saves money. If you want to buy food, BBQ at the mid-mountain lodge always tastes great. We love the smell as we ski by just before lunch :-) Restaurant in village lodge is expensive, but great food and service.
It was wonderful to be skiing, and saving lift ticket money on Liftopia made it simple and affordable.

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 22 2013 - 05:10 PM

Barry Perkins
Advanced Skier

Been skiing for 30 years, first trip to Sugar Bowl. Very Nice lodge but like many others food way over priced! Bring a lunch. Great terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers. Beginners beware. I thought most of the beginner runs were too steep and narrow. Even some of the intermediates were what other places would call advanced. If you like it steep, then this is your place. Get there early parking is terrible but they do have a shuttle. Employees super nice and helpful. They have wi-fi at the lodge but you have to call an 800 number and give them your credit card because its not free! Really!

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 21 2013 - 08:37 PM

Gena
Intermediate Skier

Grew up skiing at Sugar Bowl as a kid. This is the first time back in a long time. They have added a whole new area with a lodge and the ability to drive in to a large parking area that you can almost ski to. The new area has a couple of lifts that have a variety of difficulty and great views. The old lodge is still there with all its charm. Liftopia prices make it a great deal.
We were there on a tuesday and the runs were wide open with hardly anyone there. The terrain park looks good too!

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 17 2013 - 03:24 PM

Lee Wheeler
Advanced Skier

I've lived in Sacramento since 2006 but Jan 2013 was my first time riding Sugar Bowl..... What was I waiting for? This place is epic! It has everything you could ask for, for all levels of riders from beginning, to intermediate, to advanced, including some well maintained terrain parks, tree runs and some pretty gnarly in-boud chutes & rock drops if that's what you're looking for. I've ridden a lot of other resorts in Tahoe and this is one of the better ones in my opinion. Plus it's one of the closest to sac. Shred on!
-Gordi
"Ride 4 Radz"

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 16 2013 - 09:52 AM

Gordi Ramos
Advanced Snowboarder

Don't wait in line for "Special Tickets." It is a huge time suck. You can redeem them at any ticket window.

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 14 2013 - 01:06 PM

Scott Thomsen
Advanced Snowboarder

My First visit to Sugar bowl and i loved it. Everything was convienently located, staff very nice, runs were great and the easy runs were long. I will definately go back.

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 13 2013 - 03:01 PM

Becky
Intermediate Skier

You don't need to stand in the "Special Tickets" line as the directions state. Just go to the main pass line and redeem your pass. Special ticket office is a wreck of a place and will waste your time!!!

Sugar Bowl review written Dec 30 2012 - 09:46 PM

Dave
Advanced Snowboarder

This was my first run of the season and first visit to Sugar Bowl. It's pretty easy access off the Hwy 80 and parking was good. Lots of kids and the lines can get a little long for the lifts. Like they have a separate area for boarders but they were all over the place. Went on a week day so I can imagine a weekend it's even more crowded. The powder was great. The signs pointed to a number of the runs as being groomed but they were not but that didn't stop me. Lots of places for every level of skier friendly staff. The only knock I had was they indicated you need to go to this special office to redeem your tickets and the lines were super long! I just went to the ticket window and they were able to redeem my ticket without a hitch.

Sugar Bowl review written Dec 29 2012 - 05:22 PM

Luis
Intermediate Skier

If you've got kids, this is the place to go. I put my two in a two-hour group lesson for *less than half* what it would've cost at Squaw/Alpine. Beyond the cost savings, tho, everyone working at Sugar Bowl -- and I mean everyone -- is almost pathologically friendly and helpful to children
Also: great mountain

Sugar Bowl review written Apr 30 2012 - 02:31 PM

Leslie Feldman
Advanced Skier

I would highly take advantage of the late season free weekend lessons. I am an advanced skier and still learned plenty from a great instructor. Conditions were typically spring like and the lesson was a great way to learn the spots to be as the mountain softened up.
HC

Sugar Bowl review written Apr 23 2012 - 02:49 PM

Hunt Conrad
Advanced Skier

Is there any more promotion coming back? I have two kids 4 and 6, a wife and myself. Three beginners and 1 intermediate. Thanks.

Sugar Bowl review written Apr 09 2012 - 03:44 PM

James
Intermediate Skier

Get a lesson, the instructors at Sugar Bowl are absolutely wonderful!!! We learned to ski in less than desirable conditions, but the instructors made our lesson fun! We didn't care how hard it was raining because we had such a great time learning from them. Layer up, stay dry ! I will return to Sugar Bowl. This place is great for beginners and more advanced skiers or snowboarders.

Sugar Bowl review written Mar 25 2012 - 10:25 AM

Misti Lenoir
Beginner Skier

Sugar Bowl is great during a Bluebird Powder day. We wen't today, a Sunday, when it hadn't showed for over a week. The conditions were ok, icy, wind blown, moguls but that's no one's fault. My problem was with the staff and SB Ski Team. The kids were obnoxious, cutting in line, crawling under ropes to get to their friends, crowding the exit ramps, and constantly kicking my board with their skis. I turned around multiple times trying to be nice then, when that didn't work, straight up yelling at them to back off. They still ran into my wife's board right after. The "Instructors" are nothing more than incompetent overpaid baby sitters who have no control over their "students".
The terrain for experts is amazing but the intermediate all loops back to the same two, really flat trails that get boring quick. I was contemplating getting a season pass due to the epic snowfall, but the lack of variety for my wife, the hour drive from Incline Village, and the incompetent or willingly ignorant staff has changed my mind.

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 09 2011 - 09:44 PM

Tahoe Ben
Advanced Snowboarder

Sugar Bowl is a great all-around place for all levels of snowboarders/skiers!

Sugar Bowl review written Jan 04 2011 - 11:35 AM

Tanner Anderson
Advanced Snowboarder

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